Sunday, February 28, 2010

Monday Movie Meme - In their absence...


If you follow the Bumbles, you are probably aware that Molly's grandmother passed away last week. Molly and Andy have been on my mind and in my prayers all weekend. Because of their focus on their family at the moment, I incorrectly assumed that we may not have received our assigned Monday Movie Meme topic this evening. (As it turns out, the Bumbles did come through, but after I had written this post!) So I made the executive decision to just chat about the most recent movies I've seen, both at the theater and through Netflix, starting with the most recent.

1. Drag Me to Hell (Netflix) - yes it is intentionally schlocky, but oh what fun. If you enjoy horror movies, this one will meet your needs. You have got all your bases covered...curses, demons, spewing bodily liquids...all of it used in a way that flies in the face of a traditional horror formula.

2. Paranormal Activity (Netflix) - I guess I got a little horror-crazy one evening on Netflix. Two in a row! This movie was made in some dude's house for something around a few hundred bucks, but was a sensation at the box office. The premise is that a demon has been haunting a young women on and off throughout her life, and recently has picked up where he left off. So said woman and boyfriend decide to video tape their bedroom at night to detect what is going on while they are sleeping. Don't watch this by yourself at night, I would say. I've seen scarier stuff, but it was entertaining.

3. The Hurt Locker (Netflix) - I'm impressed that this gritty, testosterone-packed account of a bomb squad in Iraq was directed by a woman. I was also impressed that the major film stars in this movie were thrown under a bus, playing only bit parts. I'm not sure it deserves to win the Oscar (does anything this year???) but was an excellent and intense film.

4. The Lightning Thief (Theater) - the kids had a day off from school and it was rainy. I had not read the book, and my daughter tried but couldn't get through it. It was mildly entertaining. I'll just leave it at that.

5. Food Inc. (Netflix) - OK, so now I don't want to eat anything ever. This was a great documentary about the truth behind the food we eat, the politics of farming and the ag business, and probably is responsible for a good number of people becoming vegetarians. Is nothing sacred any more? I can't just eat my food in peace? I have one more thing to worry about, on top of being chemicaled and caloried to death?

6. Avatar 3D (Theater) - I was a little put-off by the 3 hour run time, but I had to see what all the ruckus was about. Bottom line? Great effects, great premise, disappointing/mundane/predictable/Hollywood plot. It could have lost a good 30 minutes and nobody would have cared. It certainly does not deserve to win Best Picture. If it does, I will lose my faith.

7. The Lovely Bones (Theater) - My mom and I read the book, and for some strange reason the kids wanted to see it. I'd read it had been watered down to a PG-13 rating, so off we went. Some significant things were changed from the book, which irritated me, but it was a beautifully-shot movie. My poor dad didn't know what he was in for, and I think the movie still bothers him. I'm not sure he will get over it!

8. Inglourious Basterds (Netflix) - violence and wackiness to spare, with all the genius and flair you expect from Tarantino. He is one deranged fellow, but that is what makes his movies so much fun. Brad Pitt and Christoph Waltz give stellar performances. I'm betting Waltz is going to take home an Oscar.

Of all the movies I've listed above, I probably liked The Hurt Locker the most, The Lightning Thief the least. What have you seen lately? Any good recommendations?



17 comments:

Melody said...

Great list! I've only watched The Lightning Thief and Avatar (2D) so I'm quite intrigued with the rest! Will have to check them out.

ds said...

Yes! The voice of sanity regarding Avatar! I completely agree with you. You are the third person to have mentioned The Hurt Locker; it's on the list of must-sees. Thoroughly enjoyed Inglorious Basterds, too. Not a clue about the others. Except for The Lightning Thief--given the large gaps on the library's shelves, I am guessing that it is wildly popular (may have to read the book). As always an interesting and eclectic list, Sandy! Thank you.

Trisha said...

I watched The Lightning Thief and Inglourious Basterds this month too! I've seen Food Inc. before and I can say quite a bit of what they are saying is a giant load of well, you get the picture. But OMG the baby chickens....that was just freaking terrible to see.

Chelle said...

I saw An Education and liked it. I know a girl with a similar story so it's definitely a relevant message.

Susan said...

Food, Inc. has turned me into a (mostly) vegetarian. And it isn't the only film or book out there that documents the abuse that goes on in the food industry (and it's not bull). I'm buying very little meat and chicken these days and what I do buy is organic. I'm already set up to buy from a local farmer who raises pastured and humanely raised and butchered beef and chicken. They don't do chicken until May or June and the beef is butchered in the fall, so I have to wait a while. Sorry, I didn't meant to lecture or proselytize. ShutupSusan!

Hubby and I hadn't been to the movies in six months and we finally went last weekend. We saw Up in the Air and it was excellent, though somewhat depressing, and I sure didn't see the ending coming. Clooney is fantastic, of course.

Heather said...

Have not seen any of these, though a few are on my list to see (someday).

Monday Movie Post

Alyce said...

The only one on your list that I've seen is Avatar. I agree that the plot wasn't anything special, but I loved the graphics so much that I've been tempted to go see it again.

Kathleen said...

Wow, you have been on a movie roll! I saw the 60 Minutes interview with the director of Hurt Locker so that one moved up my list of movies that I want to see sooner rather than later. I don't think I can see the Paranormal Activity one...it will freak me out!!

Ti said...

I envy the amount of movies that you are able to see or go to. I can't even remember the last theater movie I attended.

My Netflix movies are from September and they are still unviewed. Does that give you an idea on how far behind I am?

Literary Feline said...

You've been busy! :-) My husband and I saw The Hurt Locker this past weekend and Avatar the weekend before. We enjoyed both quite a bit. If I were choosing the Best Picture film of the year, I don't think I'd pick either of those either though.

Kim Frazier said...

I just watched Hurt Locker last week at the urging of another friend! It was very good and a little "social worky" which really grabbed my attention. I did not realize it was directed by a woman. Very interesting take on the war scene.

P.S. I got my book in the mail today and cannot wait to read it!

Jenners said...

I'm with you on "Avatar." It was very predictable and could have been shortened but the visuals were so cool.

I so want to see The Hurt Locker.

I'm scared to watch Paranormal Activity.

Have you seen "Up in the Air?" I LOVED that movie ... very funny but packs an emotional punch that surprised me. Plus George Clooney!!!!

The Bumbles said...

Apologies for the belated post! We were wrapped up in Olympic finales.

I have seen ZERO of your recent views. Most all of them are on our list though. My sister-in-law can't wait to hear what I think of Tarantino's flick - she didn't like it at all which I think surprised her.

Alice said...

I need to watch THE HURT LOCKER! I've watched The Lightning Thief and was OK with it. It didn't make me want to catch the series on books, though.

Ana S. said...

I haven't watched Inglourious Basterds yet (or any of the others! Aaaah!), but definitely agree with your thoughts on Tarantino in general.

Zibilee said...

I didn't like The Lightning Thief very much either. I felt it was extremely underwhelming. I think it could have been so much better, but it seemed a bit anemic to me. I also liked The Lovely Bones and Avatar, but neither would go on my list of favorite flicks. I am really looking forward to seeing Alice in Wonderland though, Johnny Depp is my secret boyfriend, so I am all atwitter about the movie!

Heidenkind said...

I don't really watch a lot of movies (why do people always laugh when I say that?). I caught the last 30 minutes of Moulin Rouge on HBO tonight, does that count?